Smith inducted as fellow of American Academy of Nursing

Daniel Smith, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, has been inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the profession’s highest honors. 

Smith, who joined UB this past July from Villanova University, is recognized for his forward-thinking work on climate change, environmental health and health equity.

Smith’s research centers on the impact of climate change on marginalized populations, focusing on resilience strategies and community-driven adaptation frameworks. He has dedicated his career to improving health outcomes for vulnerable groups, including migrant farmworkers and unhoused individuals, by addressing occupational health risks related to climate change.

His co-authorship of the American Nurses Association’s 2023 position statement, “Nurses’ Role in Addressing Global Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health,” underscores his leadership in shaping critical health policies. He was also a member of the National Institute of Nursing Research’s Climate Change and Health working group that provided recommendations earlier this year for nursing research on climate change and health. 

Committed to actionable, community-based research, Smith has collaborated extensively on projects that inform climate health policies and create culturally sensitive educational resources for farmworkers. He is also leading a community lead-exposure assessment in collaboration with CCATE in Norristown, Pennsylvania. His contributions reflect a proactive approach to environmental health and emphasize the vital role of environmental health within nursing and public health.

Smith serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments; prior to this, he served as co-chair for the Global Nurses Climate Change Committee. Through these collaborations, he helps shape priorities at the intersection of climate and health, leading the way toward a more resilient future for communities around the world.

Smith’s induction into the academy recognizes not only his impact on nursing science, but his dedication to addressing climate change’s global health implications and role in building a more resilient future for communities worldwide.